04/24/24
February 28, 2002
John Madden explores Monday Night Football Booth Job: Sources report FOX has released John from the last year of his contract, Dan Fouts and Dennis miller are history. It's been a long time since I have enjoyed MNF, but if this works out, I'm there.
posted by Mack Twain to football at 01:30 AM - 16 comments
Madden was great for many years, but in the last several seasons, he doesn't watch the game any more, falling back on shtick. As a result, he misses huge things like Mike Sherman's inexplicable decision to go for two when the Packers were leading the Niners 15-7 late in their playoff game.
He might be OK in the MNF booth, since Al Michaels is still great, but I think Madden should've retired with Summerall.
posted by rcade at 07:29 AM on February 28, 2002
It's official. Apparently Dennis Miller passed on an offer to stay on in "a minor role." Eric Dickerson is also leaving.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:48 PM on February 28, 2002
Good riddence to Dickerson, he made me shudder with his stiffness and lack of personality. As for Madden, I still love his commentary, BOOM!
posted by jbou at 01:20 PM on February 28, 2002
While overjoyed with Miller's departure, I'm saddened Mrs. Starks wasn't brought into the booth.
posted by justgary at 01:58 PM on February 28, 2002
I cannot stand John Madden. He has a horribly annoying voice that permeates everything. You can't escape it. If you leave the room, you can still hear him. He's corney and needs to be permenately retired. I like Dennis Miller, but I think his educated humor was over the heads of most of MNF fans (Bring on the flames now) and they therefore didn't like him. So now they have Madden who couldn't say an intelligent thing if his life depended on it.
posted by aacheson at 02:17 PM on February 28, 2002
I wonder if this is another Al Michaels ouster deal? He never seemed comfortable with Miller.
I hope Fox picks up Fouts, because I think he did a good job.
posted by owillis at 02:49 PM on February 28, 2002
I love Miller, just not on MNF. He always sounded like he was trying to live up to his rep, and it always sounded so forced.
I think the whole 'football fans don't understand him' spiel reeks of the whole 'if you don't like radiohead you don't understand their music'.
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
posted by justgary at 02:52 PM on February 28, 2002
I agree Gary, Miller always seemed to be waiting for a lull in the conversation to insert one of his monologues.
posted by owillis at 02:55 PM on February 28, 2002
Dennis Miller was the only reason I watched MNF games that didn't involve one of the three or so NFL teams I truly care about.
His commentary was brilliant and funny, and just because it was over most people's heads doesn't make it any less so.
I loved it when I understood an obscure reference, it made the game interesting. Perhaps this is because I know more worthless non-sports trivia than is altogether sane, yet still don't know how many players are allowed on the field at one time. (I just watch for the action).
Anyway, I agree with aacheson, Miller got canned for mis-directed intelligence, which is a shame.
As for John Madden.
Retire.
For the love of God get in your bus and head straight for your Florida beach-house (or wherever he lives).
Do not pass ABC Sports HQ, do not collect a $15 million, four-year contract.
On a final note, I would like to say that the only way for ABC to now redem themselves is to cancel Madden's contract next year, and replace him with Tom Servo and Crow.
posted by thewittyname at 03:00 PM on February 28, 2002
His commentary was brilliant and funny, and just because it was over most people's heads doesn't make it any less so.
Is this some proven fact? Did I miss some poll taken recently? Will everyone that didn't understand at least 90 percent of Miller's commentary raise their hand? Seriously, I know at least a dozen people personally who groaned everytime Miller opened his mouth, and it wasn't because of Miller's amazingly intellectual rants. It wasn't because anything went over their heads.
Of course, the easy thing to say, and I'm sure what Miller's reps would say, is the MNF fan base simply didn't get his quirky, intellectually based humor, and while that was surely the case with some, believe me, it wasn't with all.
posted by justgary at 03:24 PM on February 28, 2002
On a final note, I would like to say that the only way for ABC to now redem themselves is to cancel Madden's contract next year, and replace him with Tom Servo and Crow.
and Joel, not Mike ;-)
posted by bcb2k2 at 04:29 PM on February 28, 2002
despite my rantings in the summerall thread, if madden goes to mnf, i won't care too much. is he washed up and uninteresting?
yes.
will his schtick improve under the bright lights of mnf?
no.
will it get even more unlistenable?
yes.
on monday nights is my wife home?
yes.
does she trade the tv remote in exchange for zero volume?
yes.
not a problem.
posted by lescour at 10:32 PM on February 28, 2002
I love how everybody dogpiles on Miller and points to him being a factor in MNF's ratings decline. Does anyone remember how absolutely horrible the games were last year?
posted by tj at 12:37 AM on March 01, 2002
Does anyone remember how absolutely horrible the games were last year? Yes. The worst MNF season I can remember. Liked Dennis Miller, understand why he was fired. But I loved Dan Fouts. I think he is one of the best around. Insightful, concise. A very distict voice amongst NFL commentators. Some people criticized him for being too quiet. That what was great. If he didn't have anything to add he shut up and let you watch the game. I really hope he gets picked up by another network.
posted by keithl at 03:09 PM on March 02, 2002
Tom Arnold would be a good replacement for Miller if they want a comedian. For great insight on the game, it is that former quarterback that has a fantasy commentary on the Fox Network. Cant remember his name. Wears glasses.
posted by tomwr at 12:58 PM on March 04, 2002
It would be interesting to see Madden on MNF. I know some feel that he's outlasted his "usefullness" as a sportscaster, but I don't believe that.
Even when Madden (along with Summerall) was broadcasting a bad game, I would tune in at least for awhile just to hear what they were talking about when the game got truly boring.
So, if Madden were to get this gig, Fouts would be the one he would replace.
Think Miller would stick around? I know that he was absent from ABC's Pro Bowl broadcast, because of "air travel problems"...a sign perhaps?